Rail joint grinder



Sept. 11, 1934 L. J. COONEY RAIL JOINT GRINDER Filed Oct. 21. 1930 4Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Sept. 11 1934. 1.. J. COONEY RAIL JOINT GRINDERFiled Oct. 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m mm uw m wmmm um H J M IJZZZAW mumQM @M, WIM

Sept. 11, 1934.

L. J. COQNEY RAIL JOINT GRINDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 31., 19:50

l sd l.....l1

INVENTOR will Y M L. J COONEY RAIL JOINT GRINDER Sept.-1l, 1934.

Filed 061;. 21, ,1950 .4'Sheets-She et 4 INVENTOR mm w Patented Sept.11, 1934 UNITED STATES RAIL JOINT GRINDER Lawrence J. Cooney,Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Keystone Grinder & Manufacturing Company,Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 21,1930, Serial No. 490,225

18 Claims.

My invention relates to a devicefor grinding the joints between railroadrails.

The principal characteristics which a desirable rail joint grindershould possess are lightness in weight, ease of manipulation, andsimplicity of construction. I have invented a device of this characterwhich satisfactorily meets all these requirements and, in addition, ischaracterized by other features of novelty which will appear more fullyand at large in the description of the invention given herebelow.

The necessity for alight-weight construction which can be handled easilyby two men will be realized when it is stated that the operation ofgrinding rail joints is not permitted to interfere with rail traffic. Itthus becomes necessary to remove the grinding apparatus from the railsvery quickly on the approach of a train. With these desirablecharacteristics and necessary limitations in mind, I have invented arail joint grinder which is entirely self-contained and which is lightenough to be quickly removed from the rails by two men and, at the sametime, is sufiiciently substantial to retain its operating positionwithout the necessity of locking it to the rails.

' In accordance with the invention, I provide a main frame having wheelsadapted to travel on the rails. A carriage isadapted totraverse acrossthe main frame between rails and is provided with a platform forsupporting a suitable driving motor. An intermediate driving shaft isjournalled in the carriage adjacent one side thereof and a yoke ispivotedthereto. The yoke carries an arm having thereon a grinding wheelwhich is adapted to be driven by the motor. The main frame is adjustedalong'the track until the grinding wheel overlies the joint to beground. The yoke is then depressed until the wheel engages'the joint andthe carriage is then traversed so that the wheel grinds theentiresurface of the joint.

In order to speed up. the grinding operation, I preferably duplicate thepivoted yoke, the grinding wheel thereon and the connections between thedriving motor and the wheel on both sides of the carriage so that jointsin both rails may be ground without shifting the main frame.

In a modified form of the invention, I contemplate the use of a singleyoke or arm in which the grinding wheel is journalled and arrange theplatform supporting the motor and the yoke for rotation on the carriageso that a single yoke and grinding wheel may serve for working on bothrails. In a further modified form of the invention, I dispense with theintermediate shafts and the lead screw, and mount the yokes supportingthe grinding wheels loosely on the shaft of the driving motor. Thecarriage is adapted for free traversing movement by means of a directpush or pull.

For a complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings in which Figure l is a plan view of one form ofthe invention; 1

Figure 2 is a partial end elevation;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 1 withparts omitted for the sake of clearance;

Figure 4 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form ofthe invention;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view along the line VV of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial sectional view along the line VI-V'I of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a further modification of the invention; and

Figure 8 is a sectional detail of a rail joint with grinding wheel inthe operation of grinding the joint. 0

Referring in detail to the drawings and, for the present, to Figures 1through 3, I provide a rectangular frame 10 consisting of side rods 11and cross bars 12 connected by means of T- so sockets 13. The crossbars,l2 extend through the T-sockets 13 to provide journal bearings forsupporting wheels 14 adapted to travel on the rails 15, the joints ofwhich are to be ground. End castings 16 connect the free ends ofthecross bars '12 and are provided with handles 17 for shifting the framealong the rails 15, and

for lifting the device from the track.

A carriage 18 consisting of castings 19, connecting rods 20, end rods20a and a motor supporting platform 21, is supported on the frame Shafts22 are journalled in the lower portion of the castings 19 and areprovided with rollers 23 resting on the cross bars 12. In order tosecure the carriage firmly to the frame, I pro- 100 vide underslungrollers 24 engaging the lower surface of the cross bars 12. The rollers24 are journalled on bars 25 which are resiliently suspended from thecastings 19 by rods 26. The connecting rods 20 and the end rods 20a arese- 105 cured together by means of T-sockets 27 and 28.

A driving motor 29 which may be of any suitable typeis mounted ontheplatform 21 and is provided with shaft extensions 30 having driv- 110ing pulleys 31. A tool box 32 is supported on the carriage 18 on crossstraps 33.

The carriage 18 may be traversed across the frame 10 by means of a feedscrew 34 traversing a nut 35 secured to the lower portion of one of thecastings 19. The screw 34 may be actuated by driving rods 36 pinned atone end to the screw 34. The other ends of the driving rods turn inbearings 37 forming part of the castings 16 and are provided with cranks38 whereby the carriage may be shifted back and forth across the frame10.

Intermediate driving shafts 39 are journalled in suitable bearings 40formed in the lower portion of the castings 19. Supporting arms 41 arepivoted on the shafts 39 and comprise end yokes 42 and 43 connected byrods 44 received in suitable sockets in the yokes. Driving spindles 45are journalled on the shafts 39 between the ends of the yokes 42. Thespindles 45 have driving pulleys 46 and 47 formed integral therewith.The pulleys 46 are connected with the pulleys 31 by belts 48.

Stub shafts 49 are journalled in the yokes 43 in bearings formed-thereinbelow the rods 44. Pulleys 50 are keyed to the shafts 49 and thegrinding wheels 51 are also secured to the shafts outside the yokes 43.Belts 52 connect the pulleys 47 and 50. Guards 53 for the grindingwheels 51 are pivoted to the yokes 43 below the rods 44. One of the rods44 on each of the arms 41 extends through the yoke 43 to which it issecured and is provided with a handle 54 for manipulating the arm 41about'its. shaft 39.

In order to normally maintain the grinding wheels 51 above the top ofthe rails 15, the T- sockets 28 forming part of the carriage areprovided with vertical extensions 55 overhanging projections 56 on theyokes 42. Springs 57 connecting these parts serve to elevate thegrinding wheels above the top of the rails. The arms 41 may, however, beeasily lowered by pressing down on the handle 54 against the tension ofthe spring 57 so that the grinding wheel engages the surface of therail. In order to guide such movement more accurately, the projections56 are provided with pins 58 traveling in arcuate slots 59 formed indownward extension 60 integral with the T-sockets 28.

The operation of the construction described hereinabove will probablybe. evident from what has already been said, but a brief review thereofwill be given. To startthe process of grinding rail joints, the frame isplaced on the rails and 3 the motor 29 is started. Normally, of course,

the springs 57 raise the grinding wheels above the tops of the rails.The motor 29, through its driving pulleys 31, the belts 48, the spindles45 and the belts 52, drive the shafts 49 to which the grinding wheels 51are secured. The motor 29 operates continuously, even between successivegrinding operations. When the frame has been placed on the rails and themotor started,

the frame is shifted along the track until one of the grinding wheels 51overlies the joint to be ground. The operator then presses down on the.

feed screw.

be desirable to provide the frame with a socket for receiving a pushingbar so that the operator will not have to stoop over to shift the framealong the track.

Since the rail joints in the two rails of the track are staggered, itwill be preferable to grind first a joint in one rail and then a jointin the other rail. The provision of duplicate grinding wheels and driveconnections between the wheels and the motor simplifies the operationand rem-- ders it very efiicient. There need be only one movement of thecarriage 18 for each grinding operation, that is to say, when grinding ajoint in one rail, the carriage will be moved from left to right, say,and when grinding the next joint in the other .rail the carriage may beshifted back from right to left by means of the The device describedhereinabove has been found very efficient in performing the operationfor which it was intended, as well as easy to handle. The constructionis sufiiciently light in weight to permit its prompt removal from thetrack on the approach of a train, yet is substan-. tial enough to makeit unnecessary to lock the frame to the rails during the grindingoperation. The unit is entirely self-contained.

In order to further reduce the weight of the form of the inventionalready described, I have invented a modification thereof according towhich only a single pivoted arm carrying the grinder wheel is employedfor working on both rails of the track. To make this possible, I providemeans permitting the driving motor and pivoted arm to be rotated through180. Suitable locking means are provided to maintain the rotatablemembers in the desired operating positions. An embodiment of this formof the invention is illustrated in Figures 4 through 6, in which thereference numerals already employed are applied to similar elements.

It will be apparent from Figure 4 that the construction of the frame 10of the modified form of the invention is that of the first formdescribed. The .traversing carriage 18 is also the same, except that itis provided with a motor supporting plate 61 having an annular rim 62and a central opening 63. The motor 29 is secured to a plate or table 64having an annular rim 65 fitting into the rim 62. The table 64 also hasa hub 66 fitting into the opening 63 in the platform 61. A retainingplate 67 and a screw 68 maintain the table 64 in proper position on theplatform 61.

The table 64 is provided with bearings 69 for an intermediate driveshaft 70 corresponding to that referred to above as 39. The table alsocarries projections 71 for supporting the tool box 32. The shaft 70provides a pivotal support for the arm 41, as well as a bearing for thedriving spindle 45, all as previously described. The table 64 has aprojecting arm 72 thereon to replace the'upstanding portion 55 of the Ts28, which serves through a spring similar to that shown at 57 to retainthe arm 41 in elevated position.

- The table 64 has a boss 73 bored out to receive a locking pin 74adapted to enter diametrically opposite holes 75 in the plate 61. Alever 76 is pivoted to legs 77 and has a pin and slot connection 78 witha locking pin 74. A spring 79 tends to maintain the pin 74 in lookingposition.

' When it is desired to employ the device shown in Figure 4 to grind ajoint in the right-hand rail, it is employed in the manner alreadydescribed and in the position indicated in solid lines. In order togrind the next joint, which will be in the other rail, the locking pin74 is withdrawn from the plate 61 by raising the lever '76. The table 64carrying the motor 29 and the arm 41 is then rotated 180 until thelocking pin 74 enters the other hole 75. The arm 41 thus assumes theposition indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4 and the grindingoperation may be repeated as previously described.

The modified form of the device just described is characterized by allof the advantages mentioned for the first form of the invention. Inaddition, it is somewhat lighter because duplicate parts are omitted,but it is still amply sub- 'stantial to remain in its working positionon the rails without requiring that means be provided for locking it insuch position.

A further modified form of the invention which would generally be thepreferred form is illustrated in Figure 7. The main frame of this formof the invention which rests on the rails comprises the cross bars andend castings 81. Wheels 82are journalled on the ends of the bars 80. Acarriage consisting of straps 83 and 84 bolted together is provided withwheels or rollers 85 for traversing movement across the main frame. Anintermediate bar 86 suspended on springs beneath the carriage isprovided with rollers 87 engaging the lower surface of the rods 80 in amanner described in connection with the other modifications of the.invention, to prevent the carriage from being rethe pulleys 93 throughbelts 96.

Guards 97 are provided as in the other forms of the invention forprotecting the workmen from accidental contact with the grinding wheel.One of the rods 92 is extended to form a handle 98. The carriage isequipped with grips 99 by which it may be readily traversed across the,

frame. Standards 100 are secured to the carriage and, by means of aspring similar to that shown at 57 in Figure 2, provide resilient meansfor normally holding the pivoted levers carrying the grinding wheels ininoperative position. Handles 101 on the main frame facilitate movementthereof along the track to aline the grinding wheels with the railjoints.

The operation of the device shown in Figure 7 is similar to that alreadydescribed for the other forms of the invention, except that the carriageis pushed or pulled across the frame directly without the use of a leadscrew. By eliminating the lead screw, its end castings and theintermediate shaft, the weight of the device is considerably reduced.

If desired, of course, any suitable clutch may be employed in connectionwith the drive for the grinding wheels. This will make it unnecessary tohave the grinding wheels running continuously.

Although I'have described and illustrated but a vertical,

few forms of the invention, it is not limited to the specific details ofthis disclosure but may be otherwise practiced and embodied in manydifferent forms. Any changes, however,'in the described construction maybe resorted to without sacrificing the advantages of the invention ,ordeparting from the scope of the appended claims defining the spirit ofthe invention.

I claim: 1. In a track rail grinder, a main frame adapted to roll on thetrack, a traversing carriage shiftable on said main frame transverselythereof, means for actuating the traversing carriage, a source of motivepoweron said carriage, a member pivoted to the carriage about an axisparallel to the rail, and a grinding wheel journalled on said member,having driving connections with said power. source.

2. A grinder for track rails comprising a frame adapted to rest on thetrack, a. carriage movable transversely of the frame, a grinding wheelpivoted on the carriage for rotation in a plane perpendicular to therail and driving connections therefor. I

3. Abrading mechanism for rail joints including a frame adapted to reston the rails,-a carriage movable over the frame, a bracket pivoted tothe carriage and a grinding wheel joumalled in the bracket for rotationin a plane transverse of the rails.

4. A rail joint grinder comprising a frame adapted to rest on thetracks, a carriage adapted to traverse the frame, a member pivoted tothe carriage on a horizontal axis parallel to the rail, and a grindingwheel rotatably carried on said member. I I

5. A joint grinder comprising a supporting frame, a carriage thereonmovable transversely thereof, a member on the carriage swingable intransverse plane parallel to the path of movement of the carriage, and agrinding wheel rotatably carried by said member.

6. A rail-joint grinder comprising a frame adapted to rest on the rails,a carriage shiftable transversely of the frame, a motor rotatable onsaid carriage having a shaft parallel to the rails, a bracket pivoted onthe motor shaft and a grinding wheel journalled in said bracket forrotation in a plane perpendicular to the rails and adapted to be drivenfrom said shaft.

7. A rail-joint grinder comprising a frame adapted to travel on therails, a carriage traversing on said frame, a table rotatable on saidcarriage, a motor mounted on the table, a bracket pivoted thereto and agrinding wheel journalled in said bracket adapted to be driven by saidmotor.

8. In a joint grinder for rails, a frame resting on the rails, a tablesupported thereby for rotation, a motor on the table and a bracketpivoted thereto supporting a grinding wheel.

9. A joint grinder for rails comprising a frame, a rotatable platformsupported thereon, a motor on the platform, and an arm pivoted theretofor carrying a grinding wheel.

10. A grinder for rails comprising a frame resting on the rails, acarriage shiftable along the frame, a rotary table on the frame, a motoron the table, an arm pivoted thereto, and a grinding wheel on the armadapted to be driven by the motor. 1

11. A joint grinder for rails comprising a frame traveling onthe rails,a carriage having traversing movement across the frame, a motor mountedon the carriage having a shaft parallel to the rails, yokes looselymounted on the motor shaft and arms extending therefrom for cent theends of the levers adapted to be driven from said shaft 13. A device forbeveling the upper edge of the end of a track-rail comprising a framemovably supported on thetrack, said frame including members transverseto the rail, a carriage supported on said members for guided translatorymovement transversely of the track, a laterally extending arm pivotedtothe carriage, a grinding wheel journaled on said arm for rotation in aplane perpendicular to the rail, and driving means movable with saidcarriage and operably connected to said wheel. 14. An apparatus forbeveling the upper edge of the end of a track rail comprising arectangular frame movably supported on the track, said frame includingtransverse members, a carriage mounted for translatory guided movementalong said members, a laterally extending arm pivoted to the carriagefor angular movement in a plane perpendicular to the rail, a grindingwheel journaled on said arm for rotation in said plane, and a motor onsaid carriage having a drivin connection with said wheel.

15. A machine for grinding the ends of trackrails comprising a laterallyextending arm having a grinding wheel journaled thereon for rotation'ina plane perpendicular to the rail, a carriage providing a pivotalsupport for the arm for angular movement thereof to shift the wheeltoward or from the work, guides for supporting the carriage fortranslatory reciprocation thereof to move the wheel along the line ofwork, a frame including said guides movably supported on the track,driving means for the wheel, and

' flanged means for preventing transverse movement of the frame relativeto the track.

16. In a rail grinding apparatus, a frame adapted to span and rest uponthe rails of a railway track, a carriage slidably supported by saidframe and adapted to be moved transversely of said track across theframe, an arm pivotally secured to the carriage and adapted to swing ina substantially vertical plane perpendicular to the rails, a grind wheeljournaled to said arm and adapted to rotate about an axis normal to saidplane, whereby said wheel can cut a transverse slot at a rail joint, amotor on said carriage, means operably connecting said motor to saidgrind wheel, and means for adjusting the position of said arm.

17. A rail joint inder comprising a frame adapted to be movablysupported on the rails of a track, flanged means engaging a lateral faceof the heads of the rails for guiding movement of the frame on thetrack, a carriage supported on the frame for movement transverselythereof toward or away from either of the rails, said carriage normallybeing positioned between the rails, a laterally extending arm pivoted tothe carriage about an axis parallel to the rails for angular movementtoward or from a rail, a grinding wheel journaled on said am forrotation in a plane perpendicular to the rails, and means on saidcarriage for driving said wheel.

18. A rail joint grinder comprising a frame adapted to be movablysupported on the rails of a track, flanged means engaging a lateral faceof the heads of the rails for guiding move ment of the frame on thetrack, a carriage supported on the frame for movement transverselythereof toward or away from either of the rails, said carriage normallybeing positioned between the rails, a laterally extending arm pivoted tothe carriage about an axis parallel to the rails

